gdlerner

stevegor I really dont remember (but I asked BF because I also own a BOB yak)but I think is because of the rear part of the bike,you can email them and they will tell you exactly why not to use a BOB

invisiblehand

I mentioned this earlier. You can find quite a few comments on this on the YAK.

The thought is that the rear triangle -- which folds and is secured via a quick release on top -- does not resist the twisting motions of a BOB well.

invisiblehand

My interest was piqued.

Bike Friday weight limits ...

https://community.bikefriday.com/2010

The NWT is reported with a 220 lb rider weight limit.

stevegor

That's what I thought, so in that case DON'T use a BoB with a BF.

My SWBs are non folding, and the frame can cope with those stresses.

Thanks for that.

BWP

All,

A half-on-topic question: my problem is getting the suitcase between an airport or train station and my hotel. Mostly short trips (5 to 10 km)... and then the suitcase just sits in the room while I use the bike for local commuting and exploring. A trailer set-up is overkill. I prefer to avoid a taxi trip. Hoped-for solution: I would like to put the mostly empty suitcase on my back -- not on wheels. Has anyone retrofitted a back-pack type rig to the suitcase they use for their folder? Apologies for the semi-hijack.

Thanks

jur

BWP: Just a query - what about bus or van? I have yet to get to an airport where there weren't cheaper alternatives to taxi. Airports are packed with passengers all with the same problem - how to get with giant luggage to the city.

AEO

did anyone mention heel strike yet?

Sometimes I get heel strike when my pannier slides forwards on the rack after hitting some bumps.

lucille

No worries about the hijack, it's perfectly OK.

I think the suitcase is way too big to carry on your back, I can't imagine doing that. I think it would make it dangereous to ride.
I don't know where you're going, but as Jur said, most places will have some kind of public transportation available. It's not always true about getting to/from the airports, but rail stations usually are in the city and close to buses. Research your route in advance, but if there's really no way, I would go for the trailer.

wahoonc

I try to choose my hotels (at least in the US) that have airport shuttles available. In some cases I can get mass transit from the airport to the hotel (rare).

Aaron

Boudicca

On the weight front, I am starting to think that the scales on airlines are hugely variable. The previous time I travelled with the Friday it weighed in at 47 pounds with suitcase, and this time they said it was 42 pounds. I don't remember much difference in what I took -- a lock perhaps. The first time was with Air Canada, who actually ask on their web site is you are travelling with a bike. I decided bits of bicycle in an airline sized suitcase would not qualify. West Jet didn't even ask.

lucille

Hmmm... who knows, maybe they "adjust" the scale a little?
I did weigh the suitcase before flying last time, but I only have a regular bathroom scale and did it by weighing myself holding the suitcase and subtracting my weight. It was 49 lbs, but I don't expect it to be 100% accurate. I was hoping to add locks and panniers in the suitcase, but I guess I won't be able to do it. Don't want to pay $50 for 5 lbs.

IronMac

I don't know if BWP has ever seen the suitcase but I agree that there is no way that you can do a retrofit on it. It's actually just a tad over the 62-inch(?) linear dimensions that airlines impose. And, I've never heard of anyone being called out on it yet.

In any case, it's way too big unless you are a pretty big guy.

IronMac

As for the original question, it's a bit vague but I will take a stab at it. I would purchase both the trailer and panniers. Air Canada allows two pieces of luggage to France so one can put the NWT in the suitcase (first piece of luggage) and assorted odds and ends in the panniers (second piece of luggage). An important consideration is the weight of the suitcase with the NWT in it. It will be about 50 lbs. With the trailer bits it will be over that because I was caught by UA last year at Pearson with my NWT and trailer bits in its case. My other bag was already at the limit.

You can just purchase the panniers but it still leaves you what to do with the suitcase. Having both the panniers and trailer gives you that much more flexibility.

If you purchase just the trailer, you will still need a second piece of luggage in order to put the trailer bits in in order to avoid surpassing the weight limit.

IronMac

Echoing your thoughts here. I purchased another medium-sized army duffel bag to travel with panniers and stuff. I am thinking of purchasing a set of Carradice touring bags (the full sized ones) later on this year or next.

invisiblehand

Anytime.

With regards to carrying a suitcase on your back, unless you are 6' 8" tall or something way off in the tail, I have my doubts that something like that will be comfortable. From what I have seen in developing countries, I know that one can certainly do it; but it just would not be worth the hassle IMO.

lucille

Sorry my question was vague. I thought it was pretty clear. ;-)

I don't think I would want to be touring with the trailer AND full set of panniers. I would probably have the front ones for quick access, and the rest of the luggage would go into the trailer.

I have decided on panniers this time around. I will probably get a trailer at some point, but not now. I don't really want to be spending money on two sets of front and back panniers and a trailer, when I have already spent a ton of money on the bikes this year plus the actual trip.

Air Canada allows only one checked piece of luggage for flights to Europe, seems like most airlines do that now. The additional piece costs $50 each way, same as a charge for bicycle. Sucks, eh?

nekohime

Yeah, airlines now are utterly sucky.

IronMac

I meant that the original scenario was a bit vague in terms of what sort of touring you're going to be doing. Will it be camping? Will it just be hotels? How many days? What areas and so on. Some people might be able to do a week's worth of credit card touring with just a Carradice SQR Tour bag if the conditions allowed for it. And it would fit as carry-on luggage too!

My bad, I thought that it was two pieces of checked luggage to Europe. I just did a Toronto to Vancouver flight and figured that if they allowed two pieces on there then it should be no probs with two pieces to Europe.

lucille

Yeah, unfortunately most airlines are only allowing one piece now.

jobtraklite

Back in the days when we traveled with full size bikes, an Ibis Hotel in Paris (forgot which one} was happy to store our boxes and even some baby stuff in their luggage room. Same with a small hotel in a Munich suburb near the Airport. Same with a private home near the Salzburg airport.

In fact, although it might not work for Paris, in general I would recommend private homes. In Germany they are called Zimmer Frei and in Austria Privatzimmer. Some might call them B&B's; but that wouldn't translate properly.

jobtraklite

From the horses mouth:

Guidelines for Checked Baggage

• Three-Piece Limit: Each ticketed passenger may check up to three pieces of luggage at no charge. Up to three additional pieces may be checked upon payment of $10.00 per piece.
• 50-Pound Limit: Each checked bag may weigh no more than 50 lbs. We will not accept heavier pieces.
• Size Limit: Each checked bag may not exceed 36 x 36 x 36 inches in size.

Guidelines for Carry-On Baggage

• Two-Piece Limit: Each passenger may bring aboard no more than two pieces of carry-on baggage. Not included in this limit are personal items such as purses, briefcases, laptop computers, baby items such as strollers, diaper bags and car seats, and equipment required for a passenger's medical condition such as breathing assistance devices and oxygen tanks.
• 50-Pound Limit: Each carry-on bag may weigh no more than 50 lbs.
• Size Limit: Each carry-on bag may not exceed 28" x 22" x 14" in size. Carry-on baggage is limited to 28" x 22" x 11" on Pacific

HOWEVER: on the ground, the carry-on rule is if you can schlep in on-board without causing trouble, your are good to go.

jobtraklite

As much as I like my folder, the airlines have changed the bring vs. rent equation. A couple of year ago while passing through the Munich main station on a cross ski trip to Austria , I spotted this.

I presume the 24sp trekking (German for touring) bikes cost the same as MTB's, i.e., a little over 8 Euros per day for a week and 6 for the second week.

stevegor

Reading all these posts about panniers, trailers and touring is making my feet real itchy and my mouth to drooling, I think I need to give them a good week long scratch and a wipe...... now which bike do I take........... R20, MTB, tandem, road?

jur

I can't get enthusiastic about renting a bike... a big part of my enjoyment comes from riding MY bike. Hard to explain.

wahoonc

My problem with renting is finding bikes that fit our size ranges. I ride a 64-65cm frame and my bride rides a 38-40cm. We have found that most rental bikes don't quite cover that range. Some of the share bikes we have tried are okay for short in town use, but would not work for longer distances.

Aaron